Buy me
We checked out the Omaha Baseball Village before Sunday's games with hopes of finding a souvenir that appealed to our inner baseball geek.
We weren't disappointed: Among the items for sale at the outdoor bazaar were "signal enhancement stickers" - basically, white press-on fingernails for catchers - and something called "the baseball dress." We won't bore you, but the thing was white with red, well-placed stitches.
Our favorite item, though, came with a familiar name. The Zona Bat is a tuning-fork-shaped stick that's supposed to teach proper hitting form. For $149.95, it better.
Century link
How unusual was Konner Wade's pitching performance Sunday night? Consider this: The UA right-hander's complete game is just the 100th in the history of the College World Series. Only 77 other pitchers have thrown shutouts.
People are also reading…
Wade has been stellar during the postseason. In 26 innings over three games, he's surrendered just four earned runs.
Omaha ice cream
After four days in Omaha, we've found one thing that can rival whiskey-marinated steak.
The hot fudge shake.
The iconic Zesto's ice cream has been serving Omahans for decades, first at its location across from Rosenblatt Stadium and now from a spot beyond the right-field wall at TD Ameritrade Park.
Zesto's specialty: The hot fudge shake. For $3.50 - $5 if you're feeling gluttonous - overheated fans can get a concoction of vanilla ice cream and thick hot fudge, swirled together until its smooth. The resulting concoction tastes like an In-N-Out chocolate shake made of pure awesomeness.
Of course, locals tell us that Ted & Wally's Ice Cream Shop in the Old Market District is actually better. Expect a prompt review - it's good, delicious journalism.
Quotable
"Andy Garcia."
- ESPN broadcaster Mike Patrick, who - for the second straight game - confused UA coach Andy Lopez with the famous actor.
Bruin blood
Sunday night marked the first-ever postseason game between Arizona and UCLA. It was also the, oh, 10,000th time somebody's asked UA coach Andy Lopez about the importance of beating the Bruins.
Lopez was, after all, a UCLA star in the 1970s. He met his wife, Linda, there and is longtime friends with Bruins athletic director Dan Guerrero. When the teams shared a charter flight to Omaha last week, Lopez had to guard against being too friendly.
"My wife is a sorority girl from UCLA, Pi Phi, and halfway through the flight she was going to do the eight-clap," Lopez said with a chuckle. "I said, 'We're getting paid by Arizona; what are you doing?' "
Lopez was joking - "naw, she's a good girl," he said of his wife - but clearly understands the teams' budding rivalry. All four of Andy and Linda Lopez's children were at the ballpark on Father's Day: Kerri and Kristi watched from the stands, and David and Michael - both UA walk-ons - had great views from the dugout.
Say goodbye to Stony Brook
Before Arizona defeated UCLA on Sunday, Florida State played the bad guy. The Seminoles rocked Stony Brook 12-2, knocking the College World Series' biggest underdog - and therefore most beloved team - from the double-elimination tournament. The America East Conference Seawolves defeated Miami (Fla.) in the NCAA regionals and powerhouse LSU in the super regionals to get to Omaha. They were chased from the CWS, however, by a two-day score of 21-3.
"It's a hard loss, but I look back on the season, and I think we did what no one thought we would every do, what everyone thought was basically impossible," SBU third baseman William Carmona said.
"And we made it happen somehow. And I'll never forget that."
The big numbers
8 million
Number of fans, all-time, to watch the College World Series in person. The CWS honored its 8 millionth fan in the third inning of Sunday afternoon's game between Florida State and Stony Brook.
22
Consecutive batters retired Friday night before the game's first hit. Johnny Field's one-out fourth-inning single to right field opened the floodgates for Arizona: The Wildcats ripped four more hits, scoring the game's only four runs and taking an early lead.
